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00:25Ball arena jam-packed again tonight.
00:28The 35th home sellout.
00:31Getting ready for what should be an interesting game,
00:34the Denver Nuggets and the Dallas Mavericks.
00:36Here tonight's starting lineups presented by Intermountain Health.
00:39Jamal Murray with Cam Johnson, Nikola Jokic, Spencer Jones,
00:43Aaron Gordon is out tonight, and Christian Brown.
00:47Meanwhile, for Dallas, they're missing six players,
00:50including a couple of centers.
00:51We'll get to that in a minute.
00:53But Najee Marshall, Max Christie, talented backcourt.
00:56The veteran Dwight Powell starts in the middle with P.J. Washington
01:00and the rookie phenom, Cooper Fleck.
01:09Nikola Jokic, and he's played two games against Dallas this season.
01:13Katie Wenge, he's had 29 points in each.
01:16It's going to be a fun matchup, obviously, coming in.
01:18Second night of a back-to-back for the Nuggets.
01:19A tough night of travel.
01:21You're going to have to find some energy.
01:23Find a way to bring your best basketball feed off of these Nuggets fans here at home.
01:33Game faces are on.
01:37Nuggets looking for their fourth straight win if they can get it.
01:43And the tip control by Dallas.
01:45They'll have the ball to start the fourth quarter.
01:47Our officials tonight, Carl Lane, Andy Nagy, and Phinasi Ransom.
01:54And Dallas first shot on the way, no good.
01:58And Spencer Jones getting a chance to start tonight.
02:02That miss was by Najee Marshall.
02:08Now Jokic in against Powell.
02:12Cam Johnson launches.
02:15And hits.
02:16Great extra pass right there from Christian Brown, too.
02:19Cam Johnson down, ready to shoot.
02:20Needed no time to get off that corner three.
02:28Now into the lane is P.J. Washington, and he drops it home.
02:32Yeah, this Dallas team, not particularly great from the three-point line,
02:35but they are really good at scoring in the paint,
02:37so that's got to be priority number one defensively for Denver.
02:40I get 45 and 28 overall, fourth in the West.
02:45Trying to get back to the Lakers who were in third.
02:48Now Harry lets it go, and Cooper flag has the rebound.
02:52Cooper averaging 20 points per game.
02:55Six rebounds, four assists.
02:57One of the favorites for rookie of the year,
02:59along with Khan Knipple.
03:02Of the Charlotte Hornets.
03:05And a trip, and down goes Powell.
03:09That was just unfortunate circumstances for Cam Johnson,
03:11who's doing a good job of being in the gap there,
03:13trying to deter that drive.
03:14The feet got tangled up.
03:20See Nicole Jokic kind of playing in that two-man game.
03:22Cam Johnson digging in, helping out his teammate.
03:25There's too much traffic in the lane there.
03:27No Derek Lively, no Daniel Gafford, so Powell gets the start.
03:31So, Dallas missing a couple of bigs.
03:34Of course, they still don't have Kyrie Irving,
03:36who's been out forever.
03:38But they're hoping to have him back next year at full speed.
03:41It is interesting to think about what this Dallas team
03:43would look like full strength.
03:45Keep that into consideration in the offseason,
03:47and the West is already so difficult as it is,
03:50but you bring back a talent like Kyrie Irving,
03:52alongside a player like Cooper flag.
03:55This Dallas team could be really good.
03:57You saw David Adelman, head coach for the Denver Nuggets,
04:01and Jason Kidd.
04:02Kidd is in his fifth season, a Hall of Famer as a player.
04:08So, Dallas with a one-point lead.
04:10Touch for Jokic.
04:11They're shading towards Jokic.
04:13Cam Johnson pull up and gets it.
04:17Haven't seen him do a lot of like 12-footers, 15-footers,
04:20but I like it when he does.
04:21Yeah, I think he's been really good, too,
04:22and he has played the two-man game with Nicole Jokic,
04:25with Jonas Valanciunas.
04:26Any screener for him, he's so good at reading that.
04:28Now, going to jump on the lane.
04:30The ball is volleyball out.
04:32Cooper flag.
04:33One thing he hasn't done particularly well is shoot threes.
04:36He's 29%, but that corner three is good,
04:40and Dallas has the lead back.
04:42So, Najee Marshall, who is a good three-point shooter,
04:46was shooting poorly this year at 30%.
04:52Give to Jokic.
04:53Jokic has a 15-footer elbow.
04:55Got it.
04:55And that's what I mean, too,
04:56that Cam Johnson, Nicole Jokic two-man game.
04:59Cam coming off and looking to be a scorer initially,
05:01that opens up that look for Jokic the second time around.
05:05Dallas has had all kinds of problems on the road.
05:09They're 9-25 overall.
05:11They've lost four straight and 13 of their last 15 games.
05:15So, been a challenge for head coach Jason Kidd.
05:18He knows better days are ahead.
05:23Now, flag with it.
05:24Guarded by Spencer Jones.
05:26Flag, turn, shoot, got it.
05:30Nice work.
05:30Cooper flag, 19 years old, Katie.
05:33A youngster, a pupster.
05:35So impressive what he's already been able to accomplish at 19
05:38this first season in the NBA.
05:44And Dallas comes up with it.
05:47Alley-oop.
05:48And P.J. Washington slams it down.
05:51Yeah, the other thing Dallas is pretty good at is scoring
05:53in fast-break situations.
05:54They don't turn teams over all that often, but they like to look to push the pace
05:57and run 18 fast-break points a game.
06:01Murray around the screen.
06:03Up and under goes Murray.
06:05Got it.
06:06Nice work, Jamal Murray.
06:09Beautiful.
06:09He earned 21 points last night in his 38 minutes, but he really came alive in that fourth quarter.
06:14Yeah, his fake game is elite.
06:17It's four for five shooting.
06:18Christian Brown has the rebound.
06:21Christian's been on a bit of a tear lately.
06:24Last eight games, averaging 16 points per contest, and Cam Johnson lost it out of bounds.
06:31Those are the kind of turnovers that perplex a coach.
06:34But they're a better turnover than a live ball turnover because your defense gets to reset.
06:38So they happen sometimes, but they're not the worst-case scenario.
06:44Cooper Flagg, they had him playing some point guard early in his career.
06:48Which is earlier this season.
06:50Now Powell is not an outside threat.
06:54Flagg, and Cooper Flagg knocks it in.
06:57Grew up in Newport, Maine, played at Duke.
07:02And a four-year, $62 million rookie deal already.
07:09Now Jokic setting up Murray.
07:12Murray steps back for three.
07:14Good!
07:15Jamal Murray does such a great job, too, of checking and reading the defense in that two-minute game, that
07:19handoff with Nikola Jokic.
07:21Notice the defense was shading towards Jokic there.
07:23That's when he goes to pull up there.
07:25Five early for Murray.
07:30Out of the flag.
07:34Long-range flag, no.
07:37Just 29% from downtown.
07:40Now Christian Brown.
07:41Rebell!
07:41Rebell!
07:41Rebell!
07:42Rebell!
07:42Rebell!
07:42Rebell!
07:43Rebell!
07:43Rebell!
07:44Rebell!
07:44Rebell!
07:46Rebell!
07:46Rebell!
08:00Rebell!
08:07Rebell!
08:08Rebell!
08:11Rebell!
08:22Rebell!
08:24Rebell!
08:24So the girl, I'm not sure about Marlo, you know, he probably wanted a Malibu kin and a corvette little
08:31thingy.What's
08:32he talking about? Every kid
08:33wanted a Swiss army knife.
08:35Well, guess what the Nuggets have? The Nuggets have a Swiss Army Knight in Spencer Jones.
08:40Here's a guy who is a two-way contract, converted to a one-way.
08:44Guys, this is 37th start this year, and he's shooting 50% and 40 for the three.
08:49This guy's doing it all. He has now become the Swiss Army Knight for the Denver Nuggets.
08:56Yeah, he has played really well and earned his spot.
09:00Marvin Bagley Jr. is in. He'll guard Jokic now.
09:03Pass it out. Cam, long-range three.
09:06And there's the Swiss Army Knight hustling up the rebound.
09:10Chop-chop. Knifing in there.
09:12There you go, Katie.
09:15Now Jokic, five on the clock against Marvin Bagley.
09:19Jokic in the lane.
09:21And there was some contact.
09:25Flag going behind the back.
09:31Now over to Washington.
09:33And he drops it in.
09:34Well, DJ Washington.
09:37Seventh NBA season.
09:39Hills from Kentucky.
09:42Louisville.
09:44And a 16-14 Dallas.
09:47Murray being pursued by Washington.
09:50Murray over the top.
09:51Is Washington quick enough to stay with Murray?
09:54Seems more like a forward to me.
09:56Well, I think Jamal Murray is so smart and so crafty.
09:58I don't know if quickness is what would stop him.
10:01He just is so good at reading the defense and making decisions based on that.
10:05Looks very in rhythm to start this game.
10:07Now Flag.
10:09Dump it in.
10:10Marshall's got it.
10:11Marshall turned.
10:12Put it up and in.
10:14Now Najee Marshall averaging 15 and a half points per game.
10:17His dad, Maurice, was a professional boxer in the 90s.
10:21He was a professional boxer in the 90s.
10:30He's a professional boxer in the 90s.
10:34He's a professional boxer in the 90s.
10:35against Nikoli Okic.
10:45Clay Thompson is going to come on for the first time.
10:48The former warrior Brandon Williams in with him.
10:53There's Clay one of the all-time greats.
10:55He's 35 years old now.
10:56One of the greatest shooters this game has ever known.
11:00And now Cam Johnson goes out.
11:02Here comes Peyton Watson.
11:04And Tim Hardaway.
11:07Cam Johnson getting the Nuggets off to a good start.
11:105-zip.
11:11There's Peyton Watson who had 14 in his first game.
11:13They held him out the other night.
11:15Which is last night.
11:17And Jokic for the rebound.
11:22Pass under Christian Brown.
11:26And whacked out of bounds.
11:28One of the things that the Nuggets have talked about quite a bit recently
11:31is how the officiating seems to be more like playoff officiating already
11:36at this point in the season.
11:37So learning what that looks like playing through that type of physicality.
11:40Because this is how it's going to be officiated come playoff time.
11:43Murray's got a look.
11:44And the three is good.
11:46So Jamal Murray putting on the Ritz.
11:50Here in the first quarter.
11:51He's made 4 out of 5.
11:522 out of 3.
11:5310 points.
11:55Now Clay Thompson.
11:57One of the Splash Brothers back in the day.
12:00Jokic trying to grab the rebound.
12:02Does.
12:02On the tip.
12:05Watson down the middle to Jokic.
12:06Over to Murray.
12:07He sets.
12:07He fired.
12:09Off the mark.
12:10Christian Brown fights for it.
12:11Instead it's taken by Washington.
12:18Brandon Williams with a good dump off.
12:21To Marvin Bagley the third.
12:23Yeah that drill penetration.
12:24You have to be able to contain a little bit better one on one.
12:28To avoid having that straight line drive.
12:30Harvard Bagley the third.
12:31Five teams in the last eight years.
12:34As Peyton Watson is away for a lap.
12:36Great pass from Nicole Jokic.
12:38As Peyton Watson slipping that screening action.
12:40Him and Christian Brown set in the screens together.
12:42It's lethal for Denver.
12:44Five assists already for Jokic.
12:46And the pass under to Middleton who misjudged it.
12:49The ball hit the bottom of the backboard.
12:52Play continues.
12:53Now Klay Thompson.
12:55Steps back.
12:56Let's it go.
12:57That's no good.
12:58And the rebound to Hardaway.
12:59Hardaway out to Murray.
13:01Murray.
13:02Got it again.
13:04Murray Flurry underway.
13:06In 80 degree Denver.
13:08He's gonna say can you have sunshine in Flurry's in the same day?
13:11We're seeing them.
13:132320 Denver.
13:14Murray already with 12.
13:16Mavs.
13:17Keep shooting threes.
13:19Some going in.
13:20Some going out.
13:20Give it to Christian Brown.
13:22He's on the run.
13:22And he puts it away.
13:25Now Christian Brown and let the NBA in.
13:27Fast break points a year ago.
13:29Five per game.
13:30Jokic wheeling and dealing with his sixth assist.
13:37And Klay Thompson knocks it in.
13:40Klay Thompson.
13:42You know the Splash Brothers.
13:44Him and Steph.
13:45Five-time all-star.
13:46Four-time champion.
13:49Now Jokic.
13:51Christian Brown's a three.
13:53That's no good.
13:55Jokic playing with the heavy sleeve on his right elbow tonight.
14:00Now Bagley's gonna shoot it through.
14:01That's woefully short.
14:03Jokic comes up with it on the run.
14:06Jokic to Murray.
14:07Murray's had the hot hand.
14:09Gonna keep it going.
14:10And.
14:11Falling away.
14:12Got it and a foul.
14:17I love the pace that Denver's playing at to start this game too.
14:20Despite the tough travel.
14:21Despite going to bed at 4 a.m.
14:24They've got energy and they've started that way.
14:26Here at ball arena.
14:27Jamal Murray cooking in his bag early on.
14:3014 first half.
14:31First quarter points.
14:37Jamal Murray lighting it up here in the first quarter.
14:39He's got 14.
14:40Nuggets lead by four.
14:41Time now.
14:42To see who you can count on more.
14:44Brought to you by UMB Bank.
14:47What do you notice about Murray tonight?
14:48Well Jamal Murray's picking up right where he left off at Phoenix.
14:50He had 11 fourth quarter points against the Suns last night.
14:54And then this first quarter.
14:55Here in Denver.
14:5614 points already.
14:57He looks so in rhythm.
14:59Reading the defense extremely well.
15:01Finding his spots.
15:02Finding his openings.
15:03And it's been very efficient to start from Jamal Murray.
15:06Murray making a strong bid for one of the all NBA teams.
15:10He talked to me about that too.
15:12Becoming an all-star was a big deal to him.
15:14But then once he got that all NBA was something that he voluntarily brought up.
15:18And talked about how much that would mean to him.
15:20To receive that accolade for his entire season of work.
15:24That means you're one of the top 15 players in the league.
15:27So Jamal Murray is at the free throw line where he excels.
15:31Came in tonight with 208 threes.
15:34You know that Michael Porter Jr.
15:36Has the record.
15:38For a single season 220.
15:40Now Murray's going to get that.
15:41Probably not tonight.
15:42But sometime.
15:44I mean the way he's shooting.
15:45Maybe maybe maybe maybe.
15:47I should say that 2823 Denver.
15:51Smith knocks it in from long range.
16:11And again when Jamal Murray's playing the way he's playing the defense has to shift and shade towards him.
16:17Which leaves Nicole Jokic a little bit more open.
16:19Peyton Watson has had some good cuts too.
16:20So the offense just becomes that much better for Denver.
16:23Tuggets have already put up 40.
16:24That shot is short.
16:26Bruce Brown you saw him come in.
16:29Now Hardaway lets it go.
16:31Got it!
16:33David Adelman had the greatest quote tonight in the pregame presser.
16:37He said when he came here I couldn't believe it.
16:39When you say that again I told him.
16:40Look you've got the greenest light ever.
16:43It's as green as it gets.
16:44You shoot it whenever you want.
16:45Green, green, green.
16:47And the maggots have their biggest lead.
16:50Till right there as a layup.
16:52He is good.
16:54Well the Denver Nuggets in the Dallas Mavericks two long time rivals.
17:00Murray around the screen.
17:01Here comes again.
17:02Not that time.
17:04Knocked off his path.
17:07Williams has it.
17:08Snaps it over to Chris Middleton who has come on.
17:11And the three pointer is good by Tyler Smith in his second season.
17:21Hasn't played very much to get a chance tonight.
17:26Jokic against Smith.
17:29A double team in Jokic basically.
17:31Now Jokic.
17:34Being guarded by Powell Powell knows Jokic probably as good as anybody.
17:38He's been in the league last 12 years with Dallas guarding Jokic most of the time.
17:43Not that he can stop it.
17:45Can anyone?
17:47No, the answer is no.
17:49Okay.
17:49Murray gets a blow and deservedly so.
17:5415 first quarter points.
17:58Hardaway.
18:00And a Falco.
18:07On Clay Thompson.
18:13Tim Hardaway coming into tonight.
18:16With 2048 threes in his career.
18:19He's 19th all time.
18:21Curry's number one.
18:22Nobody's gonna catch him for a while.
18:2440, 233.
18:31Jason Smith counsels his young point guard.
18:34The 26 year old.
18:36Jason kid.
18:37Excuse me.
18:40Brandon Williams played his college ball in Arizona.
18:44And it's 34-31.
18:52Williams in the line.
18:53Got it.
18:56Last game against Denver.
18:58He had 20 points in 25 minutes.
19:00Made eight at 12.
19:02No.
19:04Good rebound by Tyler Smith.
19:08Like the aggressiveness from Peyton Watson.
19:10They're driving in.
19:11Looks healthy.
19:12Julian Shaw.
19:13They're getting a chance here.
19:19Guarding Middleton.
19:21Middleton's had an excellent career.
19:26Long range three.
19:28No.
19:28Jokic has it.
19:29One point.
19:31No.
19:33For Nikola Jokic.
19:34And that is the end of a high scoring first quarter.
19:38Nuggets lead it by one.
19:39You're watching Altitude on 9 News.
19:42You're home for Nuggets basketball.
19:48Denver Nuggets dancers in the house.
19:51Putting on a show.
19:52I'm Chris Marlon with Katie Wenge.
19:54Scott Hastings prowling the sidelines tonight.
19:58Not much defense in that first quarter for either team.
20:0213 of the Nuggets made field goals.
20:04Or 14 rather.
20:05Had it.
20:06Assists.
20:0613 of the 14.
20:07I should clarify.
20:09Nuggets started with an offensive possession.
20:11Hardaway long distance.
20:13It's no good.
20:14And PJ Washington has it.
20:17Flagged Washington.
20:18William Smith.
20:19And Pulikidis.
20:22Are on.
20:29Washington looking for her cutter.
20:34Flag.
20:35Over the top.
20:37No.
20:37Rebound Bruce Brown.
20:39And this is that small ball lineup that we've been talking about a lot for Denver.
20:42Even smaller.
20:44Because Peyton Watson.
20:45Spencer Jones.
20:46They're the two that are in right now.
20:47With no Aaron Gordon playing.
20:48Now Julian Strother in the lane.
20:49And the floater is good.
20:51So Julian Strother played really well.
20:53In the first half.
20:54The other night.
20:57And has been fighting for playing time.
20:59Basically.
21:01Well Dave Adamson loved what he brought to that first half against Phoenix.
21:04Yeah.
21:04Plus 12.
21:05Had eight points in seven minutes.
21:06Said he was ready to play.
21:08Come ready to play.
21:08No matter when your number gets called.
21:10For how long.
21:11Strother was ready to do something with it.
21:13Nuggets by one.
21:14Ryan Nimhardt is on.
21:16He's a.
21:17Point guard that burned the Nuggets in an earlier game.
21:21And Strother.
21:23Stretches into the lane.
21:26Now Nimhardt has it.
21:33Posting up.
21:35Pass it out.
21:36Smith for three.
21:37Stretches into the lane.
21:39Charlotte with the rebound.
21:43Hardaway.
21:44Blows by.
21:46And missed it.
21:48And it's knocked out of bounds by Spencer Jones.
21:52Nuggets have missed a couple easy ones in the paint right there.
21:55Despite having some contact.
21:56But with that in mind.
21:57Denver's been playing through it quite well.
21:59Continuing to attack and look for their shots in the paint.
22:02Nuggets.
22:03Nimhardt.
22:04Got it.
22:05That's good.
22:09I'm done.
22:09So the diminutive.
22:13Ryan Nimhardt.
22:14On a two-way.
22:16Rookie first season.
22:18Get some playing time.
22:21Making the most of it now.
22:22Julian Strother.
22:24It's no good Dallas has been a one-point lead.
22:32And Flag puts it away.
22:36You see the athleticism on display too right there from Flag.
22:40Dunder was a little bit late rotating with that low man.
22:43Flag just throwing it down.
22:45Number one overall pick from Newport, Maine.
22:49Now Watson gets by.
22:50And here's a man in the left-hand layup. It's a beauty.
22:53You have to think Peyton Watson needs to put on his scoring cap with this unit too.
22:58He's got to look for his shot within the flow of Denver's offense
23:00but ultra-aggressive to look to score.
23:03Denver maneuvering. Washington shoots a three.
23:06It's a round and out.
23:08Julian with a rebound.
23:10If the Bruce Brown has been playing well.
23:14Brown surrounded.
23:16Spencer Jones for three.
23:17Off the heel.
23:19Cooper flag comes up with it.
23:25Watson getting a chance to guard flag.
23:27And another jumper by Tyler Smith.
23:33After making his first two three-point look, Smith,
23:36he's missed his last two.
23:38So evening out a little bit.
23:40Nuggets doing a better job of closing out.
23:4121-year-old head made a three this season.
23:47Six minutes in the last game.
23:51Dallas by one here.
23:57Watson shaking the bacon right by flag.
24:00He waves goodbye to Cooper flag.
24:06Red light, green light right there from Peyton Watson.
24:09Little stop, little go.
24:10And Najee Marshall into the lane.
24:14And a three-point opportunity.
24:16That's good.
24:17Yeah.
24:18Let's take another look at this.
24:19Hezzy.
24:20By Peyton Watson.
24:21Because one-on-one looking to create.
24:24Flag thinks he's going to pull up right there.
24:26And then the explosiveness right past him.
24:29Finishing at the rim.
24:30That's good aggressiveness from Peyton Watson.
24:32And he cannot be stopped.
24:34Letting the Nuggets bench know.
24:35Flag is not going to stop him there.
24:37That was on Jones.
24:39His first.
24:40Now Hardaway comes out.
24:42And Najee Marshall to the line.
24:47Run away with four points early.
24:51We take a seat.
24:53Ruggets started 14-21 since they're three of ten.
25:00Watson shoot three.
25:03Marshall the rebound.
25:09Corner three is good.
25:13By John Pulakides.
25:17Kid that grew up in Naperville, Illinois.
25:20Rookie in his first season.
25:22And he whams a three and a four-point lead.
25:32Nuggets thrown the Mavericks by four.
25:35But the good news is Scott has tonight's Toyota talk.
25:39Guys, I don't even know if you realize it.
25:40Tomorrow is Thursday.
25:42The March Madness kicks back up.
25:44Did you realize and condolences to Jamal Murray, Christian Brown, Cam Johnson and Peyton Watson.
25:51For the first time since 1954, no Kentucky or a KU or a North Carolina or a UCLA has made
26:03it to the Sweet 16.
26:05Now, we can laugh at that, you know, because, you know, Aaron Gordon's team is going to lose out tomorrow
26:10night for the Elite Eight.
26:12But that's a whole other story.
26:13But, I mean, think about the consistency that one of those four universities, Kentucky, Kansas, Carolina or UCLA, has represented
26:22the college basketball in the Sweet 16.
26:24First time since 54.
26:26That's amazing.
26:27Lots of greatness there, Scotty.
26:29And it's going to be a foul inside.
26:31Speaking of Jamal Murray, just for a moment, 15 points in that first quarter.
26:37His 15th career game that he's had that.
26:41The Nuggets are 11 and 3 in those games.
26:43So, a good sign as Murray has been having some concerns about that right shoulder.
26:49I don't see much cupping there, so maybe it's getting a little bit better.
26:53Maybe he hasn't had time to get treatment because he's had so many games.
26:57Maybe.
26:58Hey, game on.
26:59Red Bull's in play at Circle K by 3 for 850 on any Red Bull Energy 12-ounce drink.
27:07Murray, 6 of 9, made 2 of 4 of 3.
27:10Spencer Jones drops it in.
27:14Spencer Jones plays usually the defensive center position in this small ball unit.
27:22And, making zone now by Denver.
27:28Bob inside, and that's going to be a holding foul on Bruce Brown.
27:31You know what?
27:32That's not a bad foul because Bruce Brown was out of position right there defensively.
27:35They were going for that lob over the top.
27:38Good positioning by Bagley inside.
27:40But, again, you give your defense a chance to reset, rematch up, reset the zone if you're going to stay
27:44in that here.
27:45Bagley, the number 2 overall pick of Sacramento back in 2018.
27:49He's actually a pretty good player.
27:51He's just not living up to that particular height.
28:00Hulakides has it.
28:01He lets it go.
28:02He's a sharpshooter, a dead-eye shooter.
28:05Played college ball at Yale.
28:06He's after Murray.
28:08Murray shoots a throw.
28:09Murray hits the three.
28:10Again!
28:11His third one of the night.
28:14Jamal Murray staying on here in the second quarter.
28:16Two, coming back in and running, orchestrating the second unit.
28:22Murray already with 18.
28:28Spencer Jones up on Flagg.
28:32Oh!
28:33And the call.
28:43Spencer Jones did a pretty good job one-on-one right here with Flagg making him pick up his dribble.
28:49That looked pretty good defensively.
28:51They're calling the foul on Johnson.
28:53I was going to say, Cam Johnson reached in there.
28:56At that angle, we didn't really see it.
28:57But I was wondering if that was where they were going to call that.
29:04Dallas has already used 12 players.
29:07They've played five-plus minutes.
29:10As you look at Flagg averaging 26-4 over there.
29:14And you look at the guys that have done that.
29:17Who's who?
29:20And the greats.
29:23It's not.
29:26Let's go over to Scott Hastings.
29:28Hey, guys.
29:28Just going, Chris.
29:29What you just followed.
29:30Remember that Memphis game?
29:31And I thought they had a great game plan, too.
29:33They played every single guy on their bench.
29:35There's no one less than 10-plus minutes in that game.
29:39We're at a team that's on a back-to-back.
29:41See if you can get something going.
29:43Stay physical.
29:44I think Dallas is taking the page out of that book.
29:47Nuggets played late last night.
29:49Got in early this morning.
29:51The flag is in the lane.
29:52Left at short.
29:52Tip is no good.
29:53And a good defensive rebound by Julian Strother.
29:57Pass it over.
29:58Johnson for three.
30:00Gorgeous transition offense there from Denver.
30:02Building off of Scott Hastings' point.
30:04The Nuggets are playing at a very fast pace.
30:06Getting the ball off the floor.
30:07Looking for shots in transition.
30:08They look like they have a lot of energy so far.
30:11Dimhart is in the lane.
30:12Gives the flag.
30:18Nuggets up by one.
30:23Rounding out.
30:24Jokic has it.
30:29Murray has his pass deflected.
30:32Legally goes and gets it.
30:3315 on the shot clock.
30:36See Jokic 4-7-7.
30:38And Murray.
30:39Heat check.
30:40Off the mark.
30:42Christie goes and gets it.
30:45Max Christie involved in the Luka trade.
30:49A little delay in the lane.
30:51Nimhart.
30:52A downshift there from Nimhart gets that little floater off inside.
30:56Andrew his older brother plays for the Pacers.
30:59You may know that.
31:04Jokic pass it under.
31:06Murray is there.
31:08Wow.
31:09That was an anticipatory pass.
31:11What a heads up play too.
31:12Jokic noticing Marshall was only paying attention to Jamal Murray.
31:17And that's eight assists for Nikola Jokic.
31:19And that puts him at 6,000 in his career.
31:24Can you say that one more time?
31:256,000 in his career as Christie hits from deep.
31:30Max Christie in his fourth NBA season.
31:38Julian Stroud is wide open for three.
31:40Boy, is he playing with confidence?
31:41Give him the minutes.
31:42He'll give you the stuff.
31:43And him and Nikola Jokic.
31:44That little interaction there was great.
31:46Passing it up.
31:47Giving it back.
31:47Giving it up to get it back.
31:48And Julian Stroud is stepping confidently there.
31:51Learning how to play with Nikola Jokic is prerequisite to being a good Denver Nugget.
31:58Now corner three is on the way.
32:00That's no good.
32:01And there's Strother again.
32:02Strother pushes the pace.
32:04He likes to play downhill as Scott Hastings likes to say.
32:07Now Bruce Brown long three.
32:10Jokic is there and he is held.
32:12The other thing too, Nikola Jokic could have easily taken that three-point shot.
32:17And the fact that he waits and gives it back to Julian Strother,
32:21that has to give so much confidence to Strother knowing,
32:24okay, Jokic is passing the ball.
32:26I'm going to look in here.
32:26This is the 6,000 assists for Nikola Jokic to Jamal Murray.
32:30And you notice, just so much smarter than everybody out there.
32:33Jokic sees Marshall not paying attention, not seeing man and ball,
32:38which is a defensive principle, defensive fundamental.
32:40And Murray's able to take advantage there.
32:42If you're not a dedicated Nuggets fan,
32:45you know that Jokic likes to say an assist makes two people happy.
32:49And the pass is out of the reach.
32:51He mentioned it again after last night's game too, Chris.
32:54It was, he was asked,
32:56any statistical category mean more to you?
32:58Because he had such big numbers.
33:00And he said, well, an assist makes two people happy.
33:02A basket just makes one.
33:03Yeah, the out-of-town reporters love that quote.
33:06Well, we're on our way to a timeout.
33:08Nuggets by one.
33:13The Skycam is presented by Ball Corporation.
33:18Nikola Jokic delivering assists at a mighty pace so far.
33:23Yeah, now he has 6,000 in his career, which is insane.
33:286,001 to be exact.
33:29That was 6,000 right there.
33:31That was a beauty.
33:32Thread the needle.
33:34Catching the unaware defender.
33:37So, Nikola Jokic ahead of Alex Fatt, Jamal, and Andre Miller.
33:45Let's go get Scott Hastings.
33:47Hey, guys, I heard a number today.
33:48He started going into tonight's game.
33:50If Joker got 51 assists in the next nine games for the second year in a row,
33:56he will have officially averaged a triple-double.
34:01Triple-double.
34:03He's leading the league in assists.
34:04He's leading the league in rebounds.
34:08Two shooting percentages.
34:09Great.
34:10Efficiency great.
34:11Underneath the Christian Brown.
34:13Back to Jokic.
34:15He wants to fly and hits.
34:16How much do you think the elbow either helps or hinders?
34:21What do you think that does?
34:22Wouldn't be wearing it if it didn't help.
34:23Okay.
34:24But I also think it is a sign that there is some wear on that elbow, too.
34:27He's feeling it a little bit.
34:29He's back in the zone here.
34:33Inside is Marshall.
34:34Jokic taps the ball to himself.
34:38Jokic with his eighth rebound.
34:42Got it right back.
34:46It was a bounce pass.
34:48High bounce pass.
34:49Jokic straightaway three.
34:52Chris Middleton with a rebound.
34:57And one of the foul there called on Christian Brown in traffic.
35:02I know we talk about how great Nicole Jokic is every single night.
35:06But it's worth stating again.
35:08Don't take it for granted.
35:09Sometimes I think because we get to see it night in and night out and we get to talk about
35:13all these accolades and how great his passing is and show off his highlights.
35:16It's almost like you become numb to it in a way.
35:19Don't allow that to be the case.
35:21What he's doing is so special.
35:23Pretty amazing that the triple-double can be just, well, you know, they only got 23, 17, and 17.
35:29You know, he could have had 40, 17, and 17.
35:32He's now Nazi Marshall long range.
35:34Another rebound to Jokic.
35:36Outlet to Murray.
35:37Murray stops and pops.
35:39And rocks the Casbah.
35:4223 first half points for Jamal Murray and Nicole Jokic has got 10 assists in the first half.
35:49Peanut butter and jelly tasty here in the first half.
35:52I'm Chris Marlow with Katie Wingy and Scott Hastings.
35:57Pass it out.
36:00Marshall's in the lane.
36:01And he hoops it.
36:05150 to go first half.
36:08Now get some downs going back and forth here.
36:10That was biggest lead seven.
36:12Dallas led by as many as four.
36:14Murray's going to try it again.
36:16And Murray is on fire!
36:2161-55.
36:23Murray's got 26 here in the first half.
36:2810 of 14 too.
36:29So efficient.
36:32Dallas tries to answer bad.
36:34Jokic, meanwhile, seven, 10 assists, and nine rebounds.
36:38Remember, Jokic has had two triple-doubles in first halves in his career.
36:45Talk about a heat check.
36:47And that setback has become Jamal Murray's signature shot.
36:51Refusing the screen from Jokic keeps Middleton on his toes.
36:54And just does such a tremendous job of creating that space.
36:56Katie, you talk to Murray a lot.
36:58Why doesn't he do the Blue Arrow celebration anymore?
37:01Will you find that out for me?
37:03He waits for very, very special times to do it.
37:06And I do think it was part of what he did at Kentucky and might have just outgrown it.
37:10Maybe.
37:10Oh!
37:11Look at that!
37:14Murray cooking on all cylinders.
37:16Bring it out, Jamal!
37:18Bring out the ball!
37:19Bring out the arrow!
37:21At least a quiver!
37:24Oh!
37:25Oh!
37:25Oh!
37:25Oh!
37:26Oh!
37:26Oh!
37:26Oh!
37:27Oh!
37:28Oh!
37:35Oh!
37:35Oh!
37:35And it is being a good injury.
37:39Oh!
37:40Oh!
37:41Yes.
37:42Oh!
37:45Oh!
37:46Oh!
37:47Oh!
37:47Oh!
37:48He's had some huge scoring games in his career.
37:52His career high in the first half ever is 32 in any half, 34.
37:59He's had 30 or more six times in any half.
38:05I knew that, but I got the stat from Doug Strauss.
38:08Excellent stat, reinforcing it.
38:14Murray knocks it in.
38:15Hey, time now for a live odds update,
38:17brought to you by FanDuel.
38:19The Nuggets, who are an 11-point home favorite to start the night.
38:23Now they're 12 and a half.
38:24They're building confidence.
38:26The Moneyline minus 1,100.
38:28Total points up there, 248 and a half.
38:34And Jamal Murray, 31 first half points.
38:39He's one away from Tyra.
38:43His all-time high.
38:46It's the most Murray has scored any half in Denver.
38:54Murray around the corner.
38:55They're doubling him now.
38:57And a foul call.
38:58Don't forget, first bank halftime report is coming up.
39:02The usual suspects are in the studio, ready to talk about this one.
39:07Will they talk about offense or defense?
39:09I think you're going to talk about Jamal Murray.
39:10Okay.
39:11And Nicole Yoko just assists would be my guess.
39:13Because Jamal Murray, the season that he has put together is outstanding.
39:18But when he gets into this zone that we've seen in the first half, there are very few players as
39:24electric to watch as Jamal Murray in this league.
39:29Murray on the season, averaging 25, cool high, 7.1 assists, career high, 42% from 3, 88% from
39:37the foul line.
39:40And it's an 11-point lead with 30 seconds remaining.
39:45I think it's putting on the Ritz here in the second quarter.
39:56Murray, trying to take the charge there.
39:59And apparently not in legal guarding position.
40:02That will be a foul on him.
40:04His first.
40:06Pretty good guess here.
40:10Going a little bit sideways there.
40:12And flag to the free throw.
40:15Flag is a free throw shooter.
40:17Excellent.
40:1781%.
40:20First two games against Denver wins.
40:22He had his 28 and a half.
40:25Third game, you remember, Katie, he hurt his knee at halftime.
40:28He didn't return.
40:29He had six points.
40:31Nuggets won that.
40:31And as Powell comes on.
40:35Middleton goes out.
40:38Middleton was in there for six or seven minutes.
40:40He didn't do a whole lot.
40:43Middleton hasn't found his place quite yet with the Dallas Cowboys.
40:47I think they're still trying to figure out what they want to utilize him for.
40:51How he fits with this curve.
40:55Keeper flag, how's he doing?
40:59He's in double figures.
41:01Ten points, four assists, three rebounds.
41:05Final ten seconds.
41:06Murray's got it.
41:08Murray's sitting on 33 with the Jokic.
41:11Snap it under.
41:12Christian Brown and flag.
41:15Rejects it.
41:16Well, he's got some springs, doesn't he?
41:18He sure does.
41:19And the way that Dallas is defending Jamal Murray right now, I mean, warranted.
41:22But any time he gets the basketball, immediate double team to get the ball out of his hands.
41:28Looking for Hardaway maybe.
41:29Good shot.
41:34And that is the end of the first half, a good one for the Denver Nuggets.
41:4133 in the first half, the second most in any half in his career.
41:48So we head to the break, the Nuggets 68, the Mavericks 59, Jamal Murray clicking.
41:59All right, we'll step aside when we come back.
42:01Stick around for the first bank halftime report.
42:03Vic Lombardi, Chris Dempsey are there.
42:15Now let's get you back to Ball Arena in the iconic, adventurous Toyota 4Runner.
42:19It's available now at your front range Toyota stores.
42:27Well, a very interesting first half.
42:30The Nuggets making a Porsche.
42:31They lead at 68-59 as we head to the third quarter.
42:34But first, let's check in with Katie Winge, presented by HCA Health 1.
42:39All right, let me show you some great transition offense from the Denver Nuggets,
42:42especially when you have the best passer in the world on your team.
42:45Julian Stroud does a great job of getting the basketball to the middle of the floor.
42:48And then right here, you want to take advantage of numbers when you have them.
42:51So you have a three-on-two scenario.
42:52Jokic can pass the ball up since Nembhard is up there defending the ball.
42:55You have Cam Johnson in that other corner.
42:57So you advance the ball in this situation.
42:59Again, three-on-two, just two defenders back.
43:01Jamal Murray does a great job of drawing Christie over, which leaves Cam Johnson wide open in the corner.
43:07Great job spacing the floor, getting an open corner three.
43:11All right, we begin the third quarter with the Jokic bucket, a four-footer in the lane.
43:17I should add, too, the Nuggets had 16 fast break points in that first half.
43:21Did a great job pushing the pace.
43:23How about Dallas?
43:24They did not have a turnover in the first NBA game with no turnovers in the first half.
43:29Since January 25th of last year.
43:36Murray commits the foul.
43:40Jamal Murray, in case you missed it, well, you shouldn't have.
43:42He scored 33 in 19 minutes, made 11 of 15 shots, six of nine threes in all five free throws.
43:49Yeah, the efficiency is what really stands out in this situation.
43:52It was just, he was in a different zone.
43:55Hey, put the financial professionals at Vectra to work for you.
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44:03Murray also had the last 13 in that first half.
44:08And as the Nuggets made a move, a couple of free throws there.
44:15Nuggets looking for their 46th win on the season against 28 losses.
44:20And their 22nd pull win after a slow start.
44:26Now Cam Johnson pulls the trigger, that's off the mark.
44:30Cooper flag.
44:33Bounds out of the backcourt.
44:36And a foul.
44:38And Powell hit the deck hard.
44:44Hard foul from Spencer Jones right there, not giving Powell a chance to have any sort of and one.
44:49And Dallas did a good job of getting out, taking advantage of their own numbers.
44:52The Nuggets trailing the play.
44:57Powell is up.
44:58Looks okay.
45:00Easy for me to say.
45:05Let's see if he can recover, get back to that free throw line.
45:12Dwight Powell is a Canadian.
45:18And he'll head to the free throw line.
45:2012 years with the Mavs.
45:22Played over 700 games for the franchise.
45:36For the best deals around, get your bevies at Bevy's Liquor World in Littleton and Parker.
45:44Right pile, one more free throw coming.
45:52And it's an eight-point Nuggets lead.
45:58Gokic, if you're wondering, nine points, nine rebounds, 11 assists.
46:02So he's definitely on triple-double-double-double-double-double-double-double-double-double.
46:16He has the ball.
46:17He has to be aware of that, but also create a good passing angle for him to find you.
46:24Jokic leads his way into the lane.
46:29And we've got a foul call.
46:33A little clunkier start to the second half.
46:36Foul called on Powell here, holding Christian Brown.
46:40Wow.
46:41The hugger-mugger defense is out tonight, Katie.
46:44Let's go over to Hastings.
46:45Hey, guys, you're talking about Jamal Murray-Kating.
46:47That's exactly right.
46:48They do not want him to go for 60, so they're going to make it as hard as they can.
46:53That means that David Adam has talked about it.
46:55There's going to be three guys trying to guard four on the other end.
47:00Nice move.
47:02Cam Johnson all the way to the right foot.
47:04I was watching Murray and Max Christie basically hugging him, face-guarding him all over the court.
47:11Well, and to Scott's point, this is an area the Nuggets can take advantage of.
47:15You will have an advantage numbers-wise if they're going to send a double-team to Murray every time.
47:19Cam is away, and he jams it.
47:22The Cam jam.
47:24And the lead bounces back to 10.
47:26Cam Johnson doing a great job getting out and running in transition here to start the second half.
47:31Oh, he turned this corner and put the burners on.
47:3710-point lead for Denver.
47:39Biggest lead was 11.
47:44And that'll be a foul on Spencer Jones.
47:47Time now to take off with Southwest Airlines.
47:52Who could it be?
47:55Just happened.
47:57Cam Johnson with 12 points.
48:02He jams it through.
48:03Our takeoff with Southwest Airlines.
48:07Cruising altitude right there.
48:09Oof.
48:11Yeah, he is turning into a nice player for the Denver Nuggets.
48:15He had 14 last night.
48:16Remember, he had 12 in the third quarter.
48:19They kind of kept the Nuggets going when they were stalled a little bit.
48:26Christie and a double.
48:28And then Christian Brown.
48:30Opportunity should have found here.
48:31Now Jokic and Powell in the foul.
48:36Powell trying to anticipate Jokic spinning.
48:39But you're never quite sure where you'll catch is going to spin to and the advantage that I'd love the
48:44Nuggets
48:45to really zone in on here is
48:47Jokic being an outlet for Murray when he gets double teamed because then you could just create let his vision
48:52go to work
48:54Christian Brown going to be called for the offensive foul
49:01Christie followed down there
49:07David Adam was saying that's a flop under the Marlowe rule that would not have been a foul
49:12fall down you don't get the call five turnovers
49:15And it's another foul
49:23Dallas being very intentional about attacking inside trying to score in the paint
49:29Denver's got to do a better job of containing those drives third foul on Christian Brown the Nuggets are one
49:34foul away
49:36from going into the penalty
49:38And with 908 that's not good
49:42Right remember last night was a parade to the free throw line in the second half
49:49Particularly in the fourth quarter. It's hard basketball to play too because you can't really get in rhythm. There's so
49:54many stoppages
49:54It's not nearly as fun to watch so you have to do a better job of depending without fouling here
50:00in this third quarter
50:02Nuggets by five
50:05And off the can
50:07And the okay channel your puts it to bed 99. Sometimes it's a really simple game. It looks so easy
50:12when they do it like that, right?
50:14Yeah, 76 69 Denver
50:17Jokic now has the triple double 11 points 12 assists 10 rebounds
50:23That would be his 30th football bubble on the season
50:28And there's more to come bounce pass Spencer Jones
50:33And a foul
50:37Spencer mad at himself well that passed through the traffic from nicola jokic right here
50:42He's got christian brown, but he wants to get it all the way to spencer jones
50:45And does as he's running the lanes everybody's running in transition right there gives jokic a plethora of options
50:52And you would love to see this one go down you know
50:55There's a lot of players in the nba that throw long passes
50:57But the way jokic throws it with such accuracy on the bounce leading ahead
51:03Giving his receivers a chance. It's the precision and that's what makes it so special and
51:08The quickness the speed at which he makes decisions and gets the ball up the floor
51:17And another foul that's going to put the nuggets into the penalty and free throws for the rest of the
51:21way here
51:22So the next eight and a half minutes
51:24Dallas can be shooting free throws like this is an unlucky tie up to the way that spencer jones ends
51:29up wrapped around powell
51:31As he's just going for the basketball
51:33Kind of what happened in the fourth quarter last night, but it's gotten that penalty they were fouling
51:40Intentionally so spencer jones
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